Commissioning
The USS Patterson was the tenth member of the Knox class of escort destroyers (and later, frigates). The Patterson was named in honor of Commodore Daniel Patterson, who served with distinction in the Quasi-War with France, in combat against the Barbary Pirates and in the War of 1812.
The order to build the Patterson was awarded to the Avondale Shipyard of Westwego, La., on July 22, 1964. Her keel was laid on Oct. 12, 1967; she was launched on May 3, 1969. She was commissioned on March 14, 1970 and joined the Atlantic Fleet. She was given the motto “Finest Frigate in the Fleet.”
Underway
In June 1971, the Patterson began her first deployment to the North Atlantic. In 1974, the Patterson made her first voyage to the Mediterranean Sea for service with the Sixth Fleet. In 1975, the Patterson’s anti-aircraft defenses were improved with the installation of the Sea Sparrow guided missile system.
The Patterson returned to the Mediterranean from late 1976 to mid-1977 and again in 1978 and 1979. In late 1979, the Patterson deployed to the North Atlantic to shadow the activities of the Soviet Navy.
In late 1980, the Patterson made its first voyage to the Persian Gulf; a year later, it returned to the Sixth Fleet for a stint in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. For her efforts during these deployments, the Patterson was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation.
In June 1983, the Patterson was assigned to the Naval Reserve and based at Philadelphia. She remained in this non-deploying status for the remainder of her career, staying in the Western Atlantic.
Decommissioning
The Patterson was decommissioned on Oct. 30, 1991. It was struck from the Naval Vessel Registry on Jan. 11, 1995 and declared scrapped on June 20, 2000.
Characteristics of the USS Patterson (Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
Class and type: Knox-class frigate
Displacement: 3,305 tons (4,295 full load)
Length: 438 ft (134 m)
Beam: 46 ft 9 in (14.2 m)
Draught: 24 ft 9 in (7.5 m)
Propulsion: 2 × CE 1200psi boilers
1 Westinghouse geared turbine
1 shaft, 35,000 SHP (26 MW)
Speed: over 27 knots
Range: 4,500 nautical miles @ 20 knots
Complement: 18 officers, 267 enlisted
Sensors and processing systems: AN/SPS-40 Air Search Radar
AN/SPS-67 Surface Search Radar
AN/SQS-26 Sonar
AN/SQR-18 Towed array sonar system
Mk68 Gun Fire Control System
Electronic warfare and decoys: AN/SLQ-32 Electronics Warfare System
Armament: one Mk-16 8 cell missile launcher for ASROC and Harpoon missiles
one Mk-42 5-inch/54 caliber gun
Mark 46 torpedoes from four single tube launchers)
one Mk-25 BPDMS launcher for Sea Sparrow missiles, later replaced by Phalanx CIWS Aircraft carried: one SH-2 Seasprite (LAMPS I) helicopter
Career:
Ordered: July 22, 1964
Builder: Avondale Shipyard, Westwego, Louisiana
Laid down: October 12, 1967
Launched: May 3, 1969
Acquired: February 27, 1970
Commissioned: March 14, 1970
Decommissioned: September 30, 1991
Struck: January 11, 1995
Motto: Finest Frigate in the Fleet Fate:
Disposed of by Recycling, June 21, 2000
Timeline:
July 1964: USS Patterson ordered
October 1967: Keel of USS Patterson laid
May 1969: USS Patterson launched
March 1970: USS Patterson commissioned
June 1971: USS Patterson deploys to North Atlantic
1974: USS Patterson makes first deployment to Mediterranean Sea
1980: USS Patterson deploys to Persian Gulf
October 1991: USS Patterson decommissioned
Crewmembers of the USS Patterson:
An unofficial list of crew members that served on the USS Patterson can be found on the unofficial navy website at: http://navysite.de. This list is compiled by former crewmembers that voluntarily register. Some quoted comments from former crewmembers are listed below; many more are available on the source website at the following Web address:
http://navysite.de/crewlist/commandlist.php?commandid=544
Michael Creel (served June 1975-December 1977): “Had some of the best times of my life aboard the Patty. Played some crazy gigs during the 1976 Med cruise with some of the best musicians ever. The ships rock band “West” did the Med tour of 76 !! That was too Kool.”
George Stubock (served January 1976-September 1977): “At 19 and not knowing the world. The time I share with my friends on board.The time can never be duplicated. To my friends Shiver, Putnam, Rohloff, Masciopinto, I hope your life has brought you much happiness. God Bless.”
Jim Janik (served 1976-80): “Miss the old “Pattyboat”. Would like to hear from shipmates from the years 1976-1980.”
Bill Brazill (served November 1976-September 1980):”The Patterson was responsible for who I have become and I how I got there. What a great four year period to be on the old Patty boat. I have 22 countries visited by the time I was 22.”
Links:
http://www.mesotheliomaweb.org/mesothelioma/veterans/navy-destroyers-post-ww2/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Patterson_(FF-1061)
http://navysite.de/crewlist/commandlist.php?commandid=544
http://navysite.de/ff/ff1061.htm
